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7 Jun 2024
Yes, the desert is not just about sand and sparse vegetation; it also harbours truffles. Not the ones we are used to, but a completely different kind — they are called desert truffles. They grow exclusively in the Middle East and North Africa and are immensely popular in these regions.
How do desert truffles look like
They look different from the truffles we know. Desert truffles resemble small potatoes. While underground, they are white, but upon contact with air, they change colour and become beige.
A bit of science
Desert truffles belong to the fungi family Terfeziaceae. These truffles form after rain and thunderstorms drench the desert. Desert truffles usually measure just a few centimetres across, but can sometimes grow to the size of a fist. They are light, typically weighing 30 to 300 grams. What affects their size? Here is a quote from a Bedouin truffle-gatherer, once met by John Feeney, a filmmaker, writer, and photographer from New Zealand: "The number and size of the truffles are influenced by the force of thunderclaps."
A lot of varieties of desert truffles are grown from North Africa to the Gulf States. Terfez is the collective name for truffles grown in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. At the same time, the Bedouins of the Western Desert call them terfas. In Kuwait, they are called fagga. English-speaking countries often refer to these desert truffles as honey truffles.
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How to find them
Desert truffles grow from January to April. You don't have to search hard for them; they are visible. When truffles are ready to surface, the ground in that area cracks. Additionally, grass known as aneyd (as called by the Bedouins) grows near the truffles. They are also often found near rock rose bushes (Helianthemum species).
However, the regions where desert truffles thrive are often conflict areas, making harvesting these truffles very dangerous.
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Photo: Gihan Sami Soliman
How do they differ from regular truffles
To answer this question, we spoke to Likarion Solntsev, the concept chef at KRASOTA Dubai: "The desert truffle is entirely different, sharing only the name with true truffles. It lacks the distinctive truffle aroma, but instead has a scent similar to that of raw mushrooms. The local Bedouins consume it as a vegetable. While true truffles are enjoyed for their ability to nourish the mind, desert truffles are eaten to nourish the stomach."
Likarion mentioned that they often use desert truffles in curry. Additionally, this type of truffle is incredibly versatile and can be added to a wide range of dishes — from enhancing rice dishes to being mixed with other ingredients in one-pot meals.
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